Stress
Stress can be sneaky and destructive. A large number of times we don’t even realize we are stressed until we look behind us and see the trail of destruction in our wake. Acupuncture has been scientifically proven to help the way your brain responds to stress. Wildflower Acupuncture can help you recognize when you are stressed and help you change the way you respond to it by bringing balance back to your life.
Physical symptoms of stress include:
Low energy
Headaches
Upset stomach, including diarrhoea, constipation and nausea
Aches, pains, and tense muscles
Chest pain and rapid heartbeat
Insomnia
Frequent colds and infections
Loss of sexual desire and/or ability
Nervousness and shaking, ringing in the ear
Cold or sweaty hands and feet
Excess sweating
Dry mouth and difficulty swallowing
Clenched jaw and grinding teeth
Weight gain/loss
Emotional symptoms of stress include:
Becoming easily agitated, frustrated and moody
Feeling overwhelmed, like you are losing control or need to take control
Having difficulty relaxing and quieting your mind
Feeling bad about yourself (low self-esteem), lonely, worthless and depressed
Avoiding others
Anxiety
Depression
Benefits of Acupuncture for stress:
Acupuncture releases endorphins and activates natural pain killers
Strengthens the immune system
Acts on areas of the brain known to reduce sensitivity to pain and stress as well as promotes relaxation and deactivation of the “analytical brain, which is responsible for anxiety and worry
Improves stress induced memory impairment and an increasing AchE reactivity in the hippocampus
Reduces serum levels of corticosterone and the number of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive cells
Regulates levels of neurotransmitters and hormones such as serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, GABA, neuropeptide Y and ACTH, which alternatively helps combat negative affective states
Stimulates production of endogenous opioids that affect the autonomic nervous system
Reverses pathological changes in levels of inflammatory cytokines that are associated with stress reactions
Reduces inflammation, by promoting release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors
Reverses stress-induced changes in behaviour and biochemistry